8-Day Small Group Tour Around Iceland in Minibus from Reykjavik

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day small group tour around Iceland in a comfortable minibus. Explore the Golden Circle, South Coast, Eastfjords, Lake Mývatn, Akureyri, and West Iceland. Book extra tours for a truly unique experience!

Duration: 8 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Golden Circle

Gullfoss Waterfall - Thingvellir National Park is where the Icelandic Althingi was formed. Its on UNESCO World Heritage list.

Geysir - Geysir Geothermal Area is one of a kind, there you can witness the amazing Geysir called Strokkurk, which erupts every 7 minutes.

Thingvellir National Park - A UNESCO World Heritage site Þingvellir National Park is truly unique. This is where the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates are drifting apart by two centimeters every year. It is also the site where the Icelandic parliament Althingi was founded in the year 930 and the first republic in the world founded.

Hvolsvollur - Our minibus will next take you to your accommodation, far away for any light pollution giving you a chance to witness the Northern Lights at night.

The South Coast & Glacier Hike

Seljalandsfoss - The amazing Seljalandsfoss Fall, is a waterfall you can walk behind and see it from all angles.

Skogafoss - The powerful Skógarfoss Fall tucked in a little gorge where the river Skógaá tumbles down a 60 meters cliff before continuing down the landscape towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Reynisfjara Beach - The Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara, where the Atlantic coastline presents massive waves hitting the unique basalt pillars in the cliffs above the sand.

Solheimajokull Glacier - Included Glacier Hike on Solheimajokull: Live life to the fullest with this exhilarating glacier hiking up one of the most magnificent features of the South of Iceland, the mighty Sólheimajökull glacier. This expedition is the perfect opportunity for those who want to combine stunning natural landscapes with adventures, but moderate hiking on glacial ice mixed with volcanic ash. It makes you feel like you have landed on the moon.

Vik - The last stop is the small village Vík í Mýrdal. This is where you will be spending the night. Vík is small so we don´t have to worry about light pollution giving you a perfect opportunity to see the Northern lights from the village.

Glacier Lagoon & Ice Caving

Fellsfjara - Breiðamerkursandur or Black Diamond Beach is a black sand beach made famous for the diamond-looking icebergs that have stranded on the beach on their way from the lagoon towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Glacier Lagoon - Glacier Lagoon or Jökulsárlón, is one of Iceland´s top attractions. Experience floating icebergs in this enormous lake fed by glacial meltwater. During winter hundreds of seals flock to the lagoon to hunt.

Breiðamerkurjökull - Within Europe´s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, you will enter the Crystal Ice Cave. A breathtaking experience where you´ll witness ice sculptures carved out by nature. A true Kodak moment.

Hvannadalshnukur - At 2110 meters, Hvannadalshnjúkur (pronounced KWANNA-dalsh-nyooker) is Iceland´s highest peak. It forms part of the crater around Öræfajökull, which is a particularly violent volcano.

Exploring The East Fjords

Djupivogur - You’ll spend your fourth day in the East Fjords of Iceland, where you can find amazing and rare wildlife, for example this is the only place in Iceland where wild Reindeer might be seen sometimes. These fjords present you high mountain ridges and the mighty Vatnajökull towering in the west. Icelandic history makes its appearance in the peaceful fishing villages you pass along the way, as fishing has always been a big part of Icelandic culture.

First stop when you enter The East Fjords is the picturesque tiny fishing village named Djúpivogur. This tiny village is part of the Cittaslow movement which is an international organization of towns that focus improving quality of life by slowing down its overall pace.

Exploring North-East Iceland

Námaskarð - The surreal Námafjall geothermal area is situated next to the Námaskarð Pass that connects you with Lake Mývatn. Colorful sulphurous mud springs and steaming fumaroles. This geothermal area belongs in the Krafla volcano fissure zone.

Dimmuborgir Lava Formations - Dimmuborgir translates to “Dark Castles” or “Dark Cities”. This is a huge area of unusually shaped lava fields close to Lake Mývatn. Here, the lava met wet marsh lands, and resulting in a grotesquely shaped lava formations.

Lake Myvatn - Lake Mývatn and its area is very volcanic. Nine eruptions took place there during the period 1975-1984 and the continental drift was measured 4,8 meters. The lake is full of Arctic char and it runs out into the river Laxá which is one of the finest Brown trout rivers in the world. This area is one of the coldest places in the country during winter.

Godafoss - Goðafoss, the name translates to The Waterfall of the Gods, pronounced “GO-thuh-foss”. Goðafoss is among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland and rich in history.

Akureyri - Your final destination is the capital of the north, Akureyri. This town is an important port and fishing centre in Iceland. This is where your accommodation for the night will be and if the cloud coverage is favorable the Northern Lights might be visible over Akureyri.

Exploring North Iceland

Akureyri - Capitol of the North. A population of 20 thousand people this hip and cool town is warm and charming. Look out for the heart-shaped stop signs at traffic lights.

Hauganes - The small town of Hauganes has many things to offer and we recommend you take a walk around the small town, it has a charming harbor and a beautiful black sand beach overlooking the ocean and the graceful tall mountains all around.

Whale Watching Hauganes - From the small fishing village Hauganes you will take a boat ride to Eyjafjörður Fjord for a whale watching. You will have a chance to bear witness to some of the largest creatures on earth as Northern Iceland is globally recognized as the best location to experience whales in the world.

Grabrok Crater - Last stop on Day 6 is Grábrók Crater, a shapely volcano crater that produced the moss-clad lava in its surrounds from an eruption two or three thousand years ago. Grábrók is situated only few minutes from your next rest stop. This is an excellent spot to see the Northern Lights if the sky is clear.

Exploring Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Gerduberg basalt columns - Our first destination on Snæfellsnes is Gerðuberg basalt columns. These extraordinary cluster of hexagonal basalt columns are one of the most massive examples of basalt columns in Iceland.

Ytri Tunga Beach - Ytri-Tunga where you will find a white sand beach, a pretty rare sight in Iceland as you will know by now, most beaches in Iceland are black. This white beach at Ytri-Tunga is not only interesting for its white sand, but also for the fact that it is a seal colony, where you can sometimes see seals lounge on the rocks.

Budakirkja - Tucked away on Iceland’s west coast on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula sits the quaint old wodden black church of Budir. One of the most popular wedding spots in Iceland.

Arnarstapi - Once a vibrant fishing village situated underneath the pyramid-shaped Mount Stapafell, Arnarstapi is a picturesque small village by a coastal cliffs which derived from glowing magma hitting the wild waves of the Atlantic. Known in Iceland as the most beautiful harbor of the country. Thousands of years later erosion has formed beautiful stone arches and a remarkable marine geyser. Enjoy a walk along the coastline while your guide tells you all about Bárður, half-man half-troll, and his misdeeds in the area.

Snaefellsjokull National Park & Glacier - At the tip of Snæfellsnes Peninsula sits the majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier, a stratovolcano that last erupted around 200 AD. The Glacier is one of the most famous landmarks in Iceland, primary due to the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne were Snæfellsjökull serves as the entrance to a passage leading to the center of the earth.

Londrangar Basalt Cliffs - Uniquely-formed remnants of ancient basalt volcanic dikes sticking out from the sea.

Djupalonssandur Beach - Djúpalónssandur is a beautiful small black sand beach. To reach the beach you will follow a footpath through the lava wonderland of huge mossy volcanic towers.

Kirkjufell Mountain - The photogenic Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) is your last stop. It is claimed the most photographed mountain on the island. If you are a fan of the television series Game of Thrones you will probably recognize the mountain as the Arrowhead Mountain as it was used as a filming location.

Exploring West Iceland

Hraunfossar Lava Waterfall - The awe-inspiring Hraunfossar or Lava Falls are an exceptionally beautifull and unusual natural phenomena. It is formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of staggering 900 meters from the lava fields of Hallmundarhraun.

Barnafoss - The famous Barnafoss or Children´s Fall. It is best known for its dark history. The saga said that there were two children fell in on Christmas day when they did not wanted to go to church.

The Cave Vidgelmir - Take an unforgettable journey into Iceland’s largest lava cave, the epic Víðgelmir Lava Cave.

Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring - Situated on a beautiful farm, Deildartunguhver is the largest and most powerful hot spring in Europe. It provides 180 liters per second of 100 Celsius degree water.

Reykholt - The tiny village of Reykholt is one of the most important historical places in Iceland and a cultural center for centuries. One of Iceland´s best known author Snorri Sturluson lived there during the years 1206-1241.

Reykjavik - Arriving in Reykjavik in the afternoon.

What's Included
  • Ice Cave Tour incl. Safety Equipment
  • On-board WiFi
  • Breakfast
  • Pickup and drop-off from designated Bus stops
  • Glacier Hike incl. Safety Equipment
  • 7 Night Accommodation
  • Hauganes Whale Watching Tour
What's Not Included
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Horseback Riding (contact the Tour Operator to add this Extra)
  • VÖK Baths (contact the Tour Operator to add this Extra)
  • Vidgelmir Lava Cave (contact the Tour Operator to add this Extra)
  • Hiking Boots Rental (4,000 ISK)
  • Waterproof Jacket Rental (3,000 ISK)
  • Waterproof Pants Rental (3,000 ISK)
  • Hat and Gloves Combo with Logo (3,000 ISK)
  • Neck Warmer with Logo (500 ISK)
  • Luggage Storage (3000 ISK)
  • Summer Cap (1,500 ISK)
Additional Information

Embark on an 8-day journey visiting the highlights of the Golden Circle. Marvel at the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall, explore Geysir geothermal region and take in the UNESCO-designated site, Thingvellir National Park. Follow this with a visit to the much-discussed South Coast, home to Reynisfjara’s unique black sand beach and the incredible Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Venture further to the Eastfjords and Lake Mývatn, replete with its unique ecosystem. Investigate the legendary Dimmuborgir lava pillars before heading north to Akureyri, the region’s capital. From there, travel to West Iceland’s breathtaking Snæfellsnes Peninsula, home to hidden treasures like Kirkjufell mountain, distinctive lava pillars, a pristine white beach, and cascading waterfalls. Enhance your trip even further by adding special tours and activities during your journey.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(483 Ratings)
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769evanc
Aug 26, 2024
8 day Ring Road Iceland - Amazing trip with our wonderful driver/guide John. He make it much more than a sightseeing tour, we learned geography, history and had a lot of laughs along the way. His knowledge and love of Iceland was fantastic. This is a country that has to be seen!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephencku
Aug 13, 2024
Wonderful 8-day Ring Road tour with Troll Expeditions - Troll Expeditions gave me an adventure of a lifetime, allowing me to create so many timeless, beautiful memories of Iceland! I highly recommend the 8-day Ring Road tour to anyone who wants a full experience of the country. When comparing itineraries from different tour companies, I found Troll Expedition included activities most aligned with my interests (i.e. glacier hiking, ice cave exploration, glacier lagoon boat ride, whale watching, Vök Baths, etc.). Booking was straightforward and Troll Expeditions provided clear instructions with me regarding pickup, which was seamless. All my questions were answered prior to the tour. Our tour guide and driver, Johann K, was amazing and made the trip unforgettable and truly exceptional. He is friendly, patient, easygoing, sociable, and has a passion for teaching the culture and history of Iceland. I felt comfortable talking with him about anything during the trip. He constantly ensured everyone in our group was happy and that no one felt excluded. Traveling with Johann was like traveling with a friend. Everyone in our group wanted to request him as our guide if we booked a future tour with Troll Expeditions. The minibus was comfortable and had fast WIFI and USB charging for my electronic devices. The seats were spacious and there was ample space to store my luggage and daypack. I was fortunate to have a group of 17 where everyone respected each other, got along, and had fun. My group had a diverse age range (late 20s-60+) with mostly Americans. I enjoyed everyone’s company and was able to make meaningful connections. The pace of the itinerary was perfect and included many beautiful sights of Iceland. There was a good balance between being on the road, sightseeing, and having personal time. Daily breakfast was included and we always had adequate time for lunch and dinner. We stayed at 3-star accommodations; some places were better than others, but overall, all the accommodations were adequate. Besides, I spent most of my time exploring and only slept in the hotels. We had a slight hiccup where a hotel was overbooked on one night, however, Troll Expeditions was able to quickly book several people in my group including myself in a nearby accommodation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rogellek
Aug 11, 2024
Traveling Iceland with John - I just wanted to write this review to inform whom every is trying to decide on a trip to Iceland....
I was in the process of booking my trip with either GAdventures, Odyssey Unlimited, or OAT travel. I have traveled with all three of these companies. This time I decided to book with a local Iceland company. I did a fare amount of research and decided on Troll Expendtions.
 The reason why I mentioned the above is that I was really lucky to get an excellent guide with Troll Expeditions. His name is John. He was right on par if not exceed the guides I’ve had in the past with all 3 companies I mentioned. He has an excellent sense of humor and really enjoys his guests. He goes above and beyond to please everyone; including making dinner reservations and driving a guest to the pharmacy. Troll is very lucky to have him. Another thing I noticed, this was the first time that I had a guide, drive and guide at the same time. These other companies hire drivers. Not only did John know his way around Iceland well but he was a SAFE driver. He was great at double tasking. I just want to say that John was the best tour guide ever. Thank you for making my trip to Iceland unforgettable!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goplaces44008979677
Aug 9, 2024
Iceland with Johann - Our tour with Johann was amazing! Johann was an amazing guide and our group all voted him as the best guide in Iceland! He was intelligent, warm, and funny as well as trying his best to show us more and more of Iceland! Our 8 days were filled with fun adventures thanks to him and such wonderful group members from all over the world. The bus was wonderful and the food/restaurants recommend by Yohaan were always delicious! Highly recommend this tour and hope you get lucky with a guide like Johann!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H5624uhlarissab
Aug 5, 2024
Fantastic tour with John! - The tour with John was amazing! He took us to so many fascinating places - we saw waterfalls, canyons, black sand beaches, puffins, seals, whales and so much more. His energy, humour and patience throughout the trip made it an unforgettable experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gayleh511
Jul 13, 2024
Trip of a Lifetime - My husband and I just returned from a fabulous 8-day tour with Troll Expeditions. David Ingi Magnusson, our fearless leader, guided us with knowledge of his country and life as a native Icelander, as well as a good dose of sarcasm. From the minute we were picked up from our bus stop in Reykjavik, we were constantly on the go, listening to David teach us about the Volcanoes and Lava and glaciers that cover his country. He made extra side stops that he thought we would enjoy. Our group was a diverse mix from various counties and we enjoyed getting to know them as well as David. We didn’t have chargers on our bus so I was thankful that I brought a portable for recharging in between the hundreds of photos and videos I took. We are an active couple and enjoy difficult hikes and physical challenges and this trip did not disappoint (surprisingly it is classified as easy). David made sure we saw all the waterfalls, ate lunch in gas stations and enjoyed the best fish and chips. This truly was an amazing experience getting to see a country so full of natural beauty and wonders.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lorrainemcd2014
Jul 11, 2024
Terrific tour around Iceland - Fabulous tour let expertly by David Ingi Magnusson who was genuine about his love for his country, had a wide range of knowledge to share and also talked about how it is to live here as an Icelander. We saw and did everything that was possible with safety and attention primary concerns. The times on the glaciers were highlights, but whale watching and appreciation of the range of waterfalls, interesting black beaches, and lava fields was a close second. David gave dinner recommendations and we had superb meals every night. Thank you Troll and David for such an excellent experience for myself and my friends. Lorraine (an Australian, travelling with British and American friends)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Homeiscolorado
Jul 7, 2024
An amazing way to see Iceland! - My husband and I just returned from our 8-day Ring Road tour. We loved it! We thought it was the perfect way to see Iceland. We had considered driving it ourselves or doing day trips from Reykjavik. In the end, we decided we wanted to let someone else do the planning and the driving. We saw amazing sights and did fun activities and excursions. There were 12 in our group from the US, Canada, Australia, India, China, Malaysia, and Bulgaria. Everyone got along great and enjoyed each other's company. We stayed in a different hotel each night. The rooms were nice and clean, with private bathrooms, and there was a good breakfast each morning. Our guide, Gylfi, was a native Icelander, and we all loved him! He was kind, patient, very informative, and lots of fun! We have already been talking up our trip to friends and family. We would definitely recommend this trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
425pamr
Jul 7, 2024
Fantastic Ring Road Guided Tour in Iceland - Highly recommend this tour - you get to experience the diversity of this amazing country in eight days and get to see so much beautiful scenery. From black beaches to beautiful waterfalls, glaciers to icebergs and definitely feel like you’re on another planet! David was our wonderful guide who is very passionate about showing off his home country - truly a wealth of information. He made us feel like we were on a road trip together as long lost friends - nothing was a problem. Thank you David for showcasing your incredible country. 👏😁👍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Navigate19002360123
Aug 26, 2024
Unparalleled Beauty - Hit the first stop on your life's wish list aurora , whales, blue ice caves, black sand beaches, glaciers, stunning seascapes, gorgeous colorful sunsets, and colorful skies that are dyed, how can there be pink, blue, and purple gradient skies. Still marveling after six months, looking at the recorded photos, the beauty of the time immediately comes to mind, this island is a wonderful creation of nature. I would like to thank our tour guide, John, for his dedication, safe driving, detailed introductions, and passion for showing us the beauty of the local cuisine. He also tried his best to make us memorize the names of the places, the language and the history of Iceland. One last immature tip for Troll. The Circumnavigation tour had its highs and lows on each day, with too much time taken up by the lava caves and local heritage, leaving little time for the South West coast to be enjoyed. I can understand that if you cross over the humanities attractions, there might be a full day of rushing around in the car. But comparatively there is plenty of time on the south west coast, and the south west scenery is really worth a full day's visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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